Human and Social Studies Religious and Ethical Foundations of Society

Christianity And South African History Interaction Analysis Training

SAQA US 115990 | NQF 6 | Credits 12 | Duration 9 Days
From $1,798 per delegate

Description

This course provides a critical analysis of the interaction between Christianity and South African history, examining how Christian beliefs and institutions have shaped and been shaped by key historical events such as colonialism, apartheid, and the democratic transition. Participants will explore the role of Christianity in social justice movements and reconciliation processes, and assess its ongoing influence in contemporary South African society.

Learning Outcomes

  • Analyze the historical interactions between Christianity and key periods in South African history, including colonialism, apartheid, and post-apartheid.
  • Evaluate the role of Christian institutions and leaders in social justice movements, such as the anti-apartheid struggle.
  • Demonstrate understanding of the theological and ethical debates within Christianity regarding race, justice, and reconciliation.
  • Assess the impact of Christianity on South African cultural and political identity.
  • Apply critical thinking to contemporary issues at the intersection of Christianity and South African society.

Target Audience

This course is designed for professionals in education, religious studies, social work, and community development, as well as anyone interested in understanding the historical and contemporary relationship between Christianity and South African society.

Prerequisites

None — open enrollment.

Course Outline

Day 1: Introduction to Christianity in South Africa

Objectives:
• Understand the historical arrival and spread of Christianity in South Africa.
• Identify key denominations and their early influences.
• Recognise the role of missionaries in colonial contexts.

Topics:
• Overview of pre-colonial indigenous belief systems.
• Arrival of European missionaries (17th-19th centuries).
• Major denominations: Anglican, Methodist, Dutch Reformed, Catholic.
• Mission stations and education.
• Early interactions with African traditional religions.

Day 2: Christianity and Colonialism

Objectives:
• Analyse the relationship between Christian missions and colonial expansion.
• Examine how Christianity was used to justify or resist colonialism.
• Understand the impact on land, culture, and governance.

Topics:
• Missionaries as agents of colonialism vs. advocates for indigenous rights.
• The role of Christianity in the creation of colonial education systems.
• Land dispossession and Christian teachings.
• Resistance movements with Christian leadership.
• Case studies: Xhosa Wars and the role of missionaries.

Day 3: Christianity and the Rise of African Independent Churches (AICs)

Objectives:
• Describe the emergence and characteristics of AICs.
• Explain how AICs blended Christianity with African traditions.
• Analyse the socio-political motivations behind AIC formation.

Topics:
• Historical context: racial segregation in mainstream churches.
• Key figures: Isaiah Shembe, John Chilembwe.
• Ethiopian, Zionist, and Messianic movements.
• Liturgical and theological innovations.
• AICs and community resilience.

Day 4: Christianity and Apartheid: Support and Resistance

Objectives:
• Evaluate the theological justifications for apartheid from certain churches.
• Contrast with Christian anti-apartheid activism.
• Understand the role of the Dutch Reformed Church.

Topics:
• Dutch Reformed Church and apartheid theology.
• The Christian Institute and Beyers Naudé.
• The Belhar Confession.
• The Kairos Document (1985).
• Role of churches in the anti-apartheid movement.
• Desmond Tutu and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

Day 5: Christianity in the Post-Apartheid Era

Objectives:
• Assess the role of Christianity in nation-building and reconciliation.
• Examine the influence of Christianity on public policy and ethics.
• Identify contemporary challenges facing the church.

Topics:
• The TRC and religious involvement.
• Christian responses to HIV/AIDS.
• Prosperity gospel and its growth.
• Religion in the constitution (1996).
• Interfaith dialogue and cooperation.
• Current debates: LGBTQ+ inclusion, gender roles.

Day 6: Theological Frameworks for Analysing Christianity-Society Interaction

Objectives:
• Apply key theological concepts to historical and contemporary issues.
• Differentiate between liberation theology, black theology, and African theology.
• Use these frameworks to analyse case studies.

Topics:
• Liberation theology: key tenets and South African applications.
• Black theology: origins and contributions of Manas Buthelezi, Allan Boesak.
• African theology: inculturation and contextualisation.
• Feminist theology in South Africa.
• Comparative analysis of frameworks.

Day 7: Research Methods for Analysing Christianity-History Interactions

Objectives:
• Develop skills in qualitative research methods relevant to religious studies.
• Learn to critically evaluate primary and secondary sources.
• Understand ethical considerations in researching religious communities.

Topics:
• Oral history and interviewing techniques.
• Archival research: church records, mission archives.
• Discourse analysis of sermons and religious texts.
• Ethnographic approaches to studying congregations.
• Ethical protocols and informed consent.
• Case study: researching a local church's history.

Day 8: Contemporary Case Studies in Christianity and South African Society

Objectives:
• Apply analytical frameworks to current issues.
• Critically examine the role of Christianity in social movements.
• Evaluate the impact of Christianity on education and healthcare.

Topics:
• Christianity and the #FeesMustFall movement.
• Church involvement in land reform debates.
• Faith-based organisations in HIV/AIDS and health.
• Christianity and gender-based violence.
• The role of churches in community development.
• Analysis of media representation of Christianity.

Day 9: Synthesis, Assessment, and Practical Application

Objectives:
• Synthesise course content into a coherent understanding.
• Demonstrate ability to analyse a historical or contemporary issue using course frameworks.
• Present findings and receive feedback.

Topics:
• Review of key themes and debates.
• Group project presentations: analysis of a selected case study.
• Peer and facilitator feedback.
• Reflection on personal and professional implications.
• Development of action plan for applying insights in practice.
• Course evaluation and certification.

Practicals

No practicals for this training.

This course is made up of exercises and case studies delivered alongside the theory — no separate practical sessions are required to complete it.

Summatives

Each delegate is assessed continuously throughout the course and a final summative test at the end.

Daily Exercises — 30%

Every training day ends with a multiple-choice exercise scored out of 100%. The scores from each daily exercise are averaged across the duration of the course to produce a Daily Average mark, which contributes 30% to the final total.

Final Test — 70%

On the last day a final summative test is written. It is a multiple-choice paper with multiple-answer questions: each question may have more than one correct option, and a single wrong selection on a question marks the entire question wrong — no partial credit. The final test is scored out of 100% and contributes 70% to the overall mark.

Final Total
Component Out of Weight
Daily Average (multiple choice) 100% 30%
Final Test (multi-answer multiple choice) 100% 70%
Final Total 100%

All marks are recorded on the AATICD LMS and visible to each learner under their account.

Certificate

Certificate of Completion

Awarded to delegates who achieve an overall mark of 50% or higher on the Final Total (Daily Average 30% + Final Test 70%).

How it works
  • Certificates are auto-generated on the AATICD LMS as soon as the marks pass the 50% threshold.
  • Each certificate is a branded PDF with the delegate's name, the course title, the unit standard ID, NQF level, credits, and the date of issue.
  • You can download or print your certificate from your LMS dashboard at any time after issue — there's no reissue fee and no expiry date.
  • If you scored under 50% you can sit the final test again at the next scheduled session at no extra cost.
Where to find it

Sign in to the LMS, open your dashboard, and your certificates appear under My Certificates. Each entry has a View / Download button and a print option.

Training Discounts

Group discounts apply automatically — the more delegates you enrol, the greater the saving. Discounts are calculated at 3% per 5 delegates, scaling up to 40% off for 100+ delegates.

Delegates Discount
5 3% off
10 6% off
15 9% off
20 12% off
25 15% off
30 18% off
50 30% off
75 35% off
100 40% off

3% discount per 5 delegates, up to 40% off for 100+ delegates. Contact us for a custom group quote.

Upcoming Training Sessions
Online training — attend live sessions from anywhere via our virtual classroom.
Start End Delivery Season Price Action
Wed 09 Sep 2026 Mon 21 Sep 2026 Virtual Spring 2026 $1,798 Register
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Mon 19 Oct 2026 Thu 29 Oct 2026 Virtual Spring 2026 $1,798 Register
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Fri 15 Jan 2027 Wed 27 Jan 2027 Virtual Summer 2026 $1,798 Register
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Tue 09 Mar 2027 Fri 19 Mar 2027 Virtual Autumn 2027 $1,798 Register
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Fri 22 Oct 2027 Wed 03 Nov 2027 Virtual Spring 2027 $1,798 Register
Mon 06 Dec 2027 Thu 16 Dec 2027 Virtual Summer 2027 $1,798 Register
Fri 31 Dec 2027 Wed 12 Jan 2028 Virtual Summer 2027 $1,798 Register
Thu 20 Jan 2028 Tue 01 Feb 2028 Virtual Summer 2027 $1,798 Register
On-Campus training — face-to-face sessions at our training venues across Africa and beyond.
Showing all 492 sessions across 26 venues
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Mon 10 Aug 2026 Thu 20 Aug 2026 Durban, South Africa Winter 2026 $4,293 Register
Mon 10 Aug 2026 Thu 20 Aug 2026 Mauritius Winter 2026 $5,211 Register
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Thu 13 Aug 2026 Tue 25 Aug 2026 Pretoria, South Africa Winter 2026 $2,700 Register
In-House training — we bring the trainer to your organisation, tailored to your team.
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Thu 17 Sep 2026 Tue 29 Sep 2026 Your Premises Spring 2026 $2,338 Register
Wed 07 Oct 2026 Mon 19 Oct 2026 Your Premises Spring 2026 $2,338 Register
Tue 27 Oct 2026 Fri 06 Nov 2026 Your Premises Spring 2026 $2,338 Register
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Mon 18 Jan 2027 Thu 28 Jan 2027 Your Premises Summer 2026 $2,338 Register
Fri 26 Feb 2027 Wed 10 Mar 2027 Your Premises Summer 2026 $2,338 Register
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Tue 23 Mar 2027 Fri 02 Apr 2027 Your Premises Autumn 2027 $2,338 Register
Mon 14 Jun 2027 Thu 24 Jun 2027 Your Premises Winter 2027 $2,338 Register
Fri 09 Jul 2027 Wed 21 Jul 2027 Your Premises Winter 2027 $2,338 Register
Thu 29 Jul 2027 Tue 10 Aug 2027 Your Premises Winter 2027 $2,338 Register
Wed 15 Sep 2027 Mon 27 Sep 2027 Your Premises Spring 2027 $2,338 Register
Tue 05 Oct 2027 Fri 15 Oct 2027 Your Premises Spring 2027 $2,338 Register
Mon 25 Oct 2027 Thu 04 Nov 2027 Your Premises Spring 2027 $2,338 Register
Tue 14 Dec 2027 Fri 24 Dec 2027 Your Premises Summer 2027 $2,338 Register
Mon 03 Jan 2028 Thu 13 Jan 2028 Your Premises Summer 2027 $2,338 Register
Fri 28 Jan 2028 Wed 09 Feb 2028 Your Premises Summer 2027 $2,338 Register
Training Discounts
Delegates Discount
5 3% off
10 6% off
15 9% off
20 12% off
25 15% off
30 18% off
50 30% off
75 35% off
100 40% off

3% off per 5 delegates, up to 40% for 100+

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